Jewelry system, jewelry kit, jewelry, and associated methods

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to jewelry systems, jewelry kits, jewelry, and methods for assembly thereof, including a hoop-shaped earring member positioned to allow one or more additional earring members to be connected thereto. The hoop-shaped earring member can be positionable to insert into and secure to an earlobe, and can have a slot positioned in a portion of a rear periphery thereof and extending to a lower periphery thereof. The slot can be arranged to allow one or more additional earring members to be secured in the slot when positioned therein. Each of the one or more additional earring members can have a respective prong member extending outwardly from an upper periphery thereof, positionable into and to be slidable along the slot, and securable in the lower periphery of the hoop-shaped earring member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority and benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/564,944, filed Sep. 28,2017, entitled “JEWELRY SYSTEM, JEWELRY KIT, JEWELRY, AND ASSOCIATEDMETHODS,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to the accessory industry and jewelryindustry.

2. Background

Jewelry may feature various designs, patterns, colors, stones, metals,and the like, but often is confined to a single configuration, selectedby a jewelry designer or jeweler. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, andthe like may be designed to have a particular arrangement of components,materials, jewels, and other permanent design features, limiting thepieces to their original design.

Other jewelry, for example charm bracelets, may allow for addition andremoval of charms or other jewelry pieces from the primary bracelet inorder to enable alteration of the original jewelry design. Thesemodifications often require use of delicate jewelers' tools, however,requiring professional assistance to add or substitute decorativepieces.

Some jewelry may allow for consumer-facilitated interchangeability byallowing a wearer to connect one or more additional jewelry componentsto a base jewelry component, as with links in a chain. For example, afirst hoop-shaped earring portion may be opened to allow a secondhoop-shaped earring portion to be loosely positioned over an end of thefirst earring portion before closing the first earring portion onto thewearer's ear, to create a two-component, or more, earring piece. Thisconfiguration, however, may limit the wearer to only chain-link styleearring or other jewelry chains, which may be aesthetically limiting, ormay undesirably make apparent the piecemeal nature of the linked earringsystem. Further, this configuration may provide a loosely coupledearring system, where the individual pieces may undesirably anduncontrollably slide and move during wear.

Jewelry is a highly personalized and stylized accessory, such thatwearers may wish to alter the size, shape, color, materials, and thelike of their jewelry items frequently to coordinate with aesthetictastes, personality types, particular outfits, activities, times ofyear, and the like. At the same time, wearers often wish to exhibitquality in the jewelry pieces they select, and may wish to maintain thatquality by giving the appearance of a cohesive piece, while stillpreserving a potential for modification.

SUMMARY

Applicant has recognized that it may be desirable to provide systems andmethods to easily configure and interchange jewelry items. Applicant hasalso recognized that it often is difficult to interchange or stylejewelry configurations to meet personalized needs and desires. Applicanthas further recognized that it may be aesthetically desirable to provideinterchangeable jewelry systems that give the appearance of beingsingle, unified jewelry pieces, rather than individual componentsclearly coupled together, while still maintaining the capability forsuch interchangeability. At the same time, Applicant has recognized thatit may be desirable to inhibit loosely dangling or sliding jewelrypieces when coupled together, by instead securely interconnectingindividual jewelry portions.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides jewelry systems, jewelrykits, jewelry, and associated methods that enhance the ease ofconfiguration and interchangeability to create individual jewelry stylesand options. According to an embodiment, a hoop-shaped earring membercan be positioned to allow one or more additional earring members to beconnected thereto. The hoop-shaped earring member can be positionable toinsert into and secure to an earlobe, and can have a slot positioned ina portion of a rear periphery thereof and extending to a lower peripherythereof. The slot can be arranged to allow one or more additionalearring members to be secured in the slot when positioned therein. Eachof the one or more additional earring members can have a respectiveprong member extending outwardly from an upper periphery thereof,positionable into and to be slidable along the slot, and securable inthe lower periphery of the hoop-shaped earring member.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also is directed to a jewelrysystem that can include a first hoop-shaped earring member, a secondearring member, and a third earring member. According to an embodiment,the first hoop-shaped earring member can be positionable to insert intoand secure to an earlobe. The first earring member can have a first slotpositioned in a portion of a rear periphery thereof and extending to alower periphery thereof. In some embodiments, the second earring membercan have a first prong member extending outwardly from an upperperiphery thereof, positionable into and to be slidable along the firstslot of the first earring member, and securable in the lower peripheryof the first earring member. The second earring member can include asecond slot positioned in a portion of a side periphery thereof andextending to a lower periphery thereof. According to an embodiment, thethird earring member can have a second prong member extending outwardlyfrom an upper periphery thereof, positionable into and to be slidablealong the second slot of the second earring member, and securable in thelower periphery of the second earring member. This series of one or moreearring members, for example, allows a user to create a style fordifferent occasions, outfits, personalities, and the like.

In an embodiment, the first earring member can further include afastener portion hingedly movable between an open position and a closedposition to secure the first earring member to the earlobe, to connectclosely adjacent the first slot, and to operate as a stop to prevent thefirst prong member of the second earring member from disengaging fromthe first earring member when the fastener portion is in the closedposition and the first prong member is positioned in the first slot.

In an embodiment, the third earring member can have a third slotpositioned in a portion of a side periphery thereof and extending to alower periphery thereof to thereby allow one or more additional earringmembers each having a respective prong member extending outwardlytherefrom to be secured in the third slot when positioned therein.

In an embodiment, each of the second earring member and third earringmember can have one or more jewelry stones positioned therein.

In an embodiment, the one or more jewelry stones of each of the secondearring member and third earring member can include a first jewelrystone positioned to face a front portion of the respective earringmember and a second jewelry stone positioned to face a rear portion ofthe respective earring member. These jewelry stones, for example, can bethe same or different types sizes, or shapes, as will be well understoodby those skilled in the art. The respective second slot and third slotcan also enhance light entry between the first jewelry stone and thesecond jewelry stone to thereby enhance illumination of the respectivefirst jewelry stone and second jewelry stone.

In an embodiment, a circumferential periphery of the second earringmember can have a different overall shape from a circumferentialperiphery of the third earring member.

In an embodiment, each of the first prong member and the second prongmember can include a post portion connected to and extending outwardlyfrom the upper periphery of the respective earring member. Each of thefirst and second prong members can also include a bulbous portion havinga larger circumferential periphery than a circumferential periphery ofthe post portion, which can be connected to a distal end of the postportion, and can form a distal end portion of the respective prongmember.

In an embodiment, the first slot of the first earring member can includea slot opening and a narrower slot channel connected to and extendingdownwardly from the slot opening along the rear periphery to the lowerperiphery of the first earring member, and the second slot of the secondearring member can include a slot opening and a narrower slot channelconnected to and extending downwardly from the slot opening along theside periphery to the lower periphery of the second earring member. Inan embodiment, the slot openings can be formed to receive the bulbousportion of the prong member of the respective earring member whenpositioned therein. This, for example, can allow the bulbous portion toextend through the respective slot openings to thereby further allow thepost portion to slidably engage the narrower channel portion and tothereby further allow the post portion to slide along the channelportion to the lower periphery of the respective earring member and beretained therein by the larger bulbous portion. The larger bulbousportion may operate as a stop to prevent the respective earring memberfrom disconnecting from the respective slot.

An embodiment of the present disclosure also is directed to an earringhaving a hoop-shaped earring member that can be positionable to insertinto and secure to an earlobe. The hoop-shaped earring member can have aslot positioned in a portion of a rear periphery thereof and extendingto a lower periphery thereof. In an embodiment, the slot can be arrangedto allow one or more additional earring members to be secured in theslot when positioned therein, each of the one or more additional earringmembers having a respective prong member extending outwardly from anupper periphery thereof, positionable into and to be slidable along theslot, and securable in the lower periphery of the hoop-shaped earringmember.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further is directed to anearring having an earring member that can have a prong member extendingoutwardly from an upper periphery thereof, positionable into and to beslidable along a slot positioned in a rear periphery of a hoop-shapedearring member and extending to a lower periphery thereof, and securablein the lower periphery of the hoop-shaped earring member. Thehoop-shaped earring member may be positionable to insert into and secureto an earlobe.

An embodiment of the present disclosure still further is directed to amethod of assembling a jewelry system. An embodiment of a method forassembly of a jewelry system, for example, may include a first earringmember and a second earring member. The method may include inserting afirst prong member extending outwardly from an upper periphery of thesecond earring member into a first slot positioned in a portion of arear periphery of and extending to a lower periphery of the firstearring member. The first earring member is positionable to insert intoand secure to an earlobe. In an embodiment, the method further caninclude sliding the first prong member downwardly along the first slotto the lower periphery of the first earring member and securing thefirst prong member at the lower periphery of the first earring member.

An embodiment of the present disclosure still further is directed to ajewelry kit for storage, presentation, transport, and sale of one ormore jewelry items. The one or more jewelry items may be connectable andinterchangeable to form one or more jewelry systems, according to thewearer's individual tastes and preferences.

Other aspects and features of embodiments of the present disclosure willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading thedetailed description herein and the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Some of the features and benefits of the present disclosure having beenstated, others will become apparent as the description proceeds whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member in anopen position, and a second earring member disconnected from the firsthoop-shaped earring member, according to an embodiment of a jewelrysystem.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second earring member being connectedto a first hoop-shaped earring member in an open position, according toan embodiment of a jewelry system.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second earring member being partiallysecured to a first hoop-shaped earring member in an open position,according to an embodiment of a jewelry system.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second earring member being fullysecured to a first hoop-shaped earring member in an open position,according to an embodiment of a jewelry system.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member in aclosed position and secured to an earlobe, shown in phantom lines, at atop periphery of the first earring member and connected to a secondearring member at a lower periphery thereof to form a jewelry system,according to an embodiment of a jewelry system.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member in anopen position and connected to a second earring member, and a thirdearring member disconnected from the first hoop-shaped earring memberand second earring member, according to an embodiment of a jewelrysystem.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first-hoop shaped earring member in anopen position and connected to a second earring member, and a thirdearring member being connected to the second earring member, accordingto an embodiment of a jewelry system.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first-hoop shaped earring member in anopen position and connected to a second earring member, and a thirdearring member being partially secured to the second earring member,according to an embodiment of a jewelry system.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member in anopen position and connected to a second earring member, and a thirdearring member being fully secured to the second earring member,according to an embodiment of a jewelry system.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member in aclosed position and secured to an earlobe at an upper periphery of thefirst earring member and connected to a second earring member at a lowerperiphery thereof, and a third earring member connected to a lowerperiphery of the second earring member to form a jewelry system,according to an embodiment of a jewelry system.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member in aclosed position and secured to an earlobe at an upper periphery of thefirst earring member and connected to a fourth earring member at a lowerperiphery thereof to form a jewelry system, according to an embodimentof a jewelry system.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member in aclosed position and secured to an earlobe at an upper periphery of thefirst earring member and connected to a second earring member at a lowerperiphery thereof, and a fourth earring member connected to a lowerperiphery of the second earring member to form a jewelry system,according to an embodiment of a jewelry system.

FIG. 13 is perspective view of a jewelry kit, according to an embodimentof a jewelry kit.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member inan open position, according to an embodiment of a jewelry item.

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember in an open position, according to an embodiment of a jewelryitem.

FIG. 16 is a rear elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earring memberin an open position, according to an embodiment of a jewelry item.

FIG. 17 is a left-side elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember in an open position, according to an embodiment of a jewelryitem.

FIG. 18 is a right-side elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember in an open position, according to an embodiment of a jewelryitem.

FIG. 19 is a top elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earring memberin an open position, according to an embodiment of a jewelry item.

FIG. 20 is a bottom elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember in an open position, according to an embodiment of a jewelryitem.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member in aclosed position, according to an embodiment of a jewelry item.

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember in a closed position, according to an embodiment of a jewelryitem.

FIG. 23 is a rear elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earring memberin a closed position, according to an embodiment of a jewelry item.

FIG. 24 is a left-side elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember in a closed position, according to an embodiment of a jewelryitem.

FIG. 25 is a right-side elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember in a closed position, according to an embodiment of a jewelryitem.

FIG. 26 is a top elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earring memberin a closed position, according to an embodiment of a jewelry item.

FIG. 27 is a bottom elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember in a closed position, according to an embodiment of a jewelryitem.

Although the disclosure will be described in connection with variousexemplary embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended tolimit the disclosure to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intendedto cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by theappended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE

The jewelry system, jewelry kit, jewelry, and associated methods of thepresent disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings in which embodiments are shown.The method and system of the present disclosure may be in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the illustratedembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey its scope to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to likeelements throughout.

It is to be further understood that the scope of the present disclosureis not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exactmaterials, or embodiments shown and described, as modifications andequivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art. In the drawingsand specification, there have been disclosed illustrative embodimentsand, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation.

Described herein are examples of jewelry systems, jewelry kits, jewelry,and associated methods. In particular, embodiments of a jewelry system,a jewelry kit, jewelry, and associated methods are provided that allowfor customization of an earring set through easy addition and removal ofvarious earring members having different shapes and designs to form acomplete, wearable jewelry system.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member100 in an open position, and a second earring member 200 disconnectedfrom the first earring member 100. The first earring member 100,although illustrated in a hoop shape, may take any shape asaesthetically desired, such as more circular, squared, tear-drop, or thelike.

The first earring member 100 may include a fastener portion 105 forinsertion into an earlobe or other body part, such as navel, nose, orthe like, to allow a consumer to wear the jewelry system. In theillustrated embodiment, first earring member 100 may include a frontperiphery 110 and a rear periphery 115 coupled by a hinge member 120secured by a pin 122. Although illustrated as a hinge 120 and pin 122,in other embodiments other rotatable couplings between front periphery110 and rear periphery 115 may be used as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. Hinge member 120 may allow first earring member 100to move between an open position as illustrated in FIG. 1 and a closedposition as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5.

In the open position as illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,the front periphery 110 of first earring member 100 may be separatedfrom rear periphery 115 by the rotation of hinge 120 about pin 122 atleast as far as needed to insert an earlobe or other body part between adistal end of fastener portion 105 and rear periphery 115. In someembodiments, the front periphery 110 and rear periphery 115 of firstearring member 100 may each have a length a, b, respectively, of 12millimeters (mm) and may each have a width c, d, respectively, of 4 mm,for example, while in other embodiments various other dimensions may beused as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

In a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 5 and as discussed in moredetail below, the front periphery 110 of first earring member 100 may berotated toward rear periphery 115 by the rotation of hinge 120 about pin122. As the rotation occurs, the distal end of fastener portion 105 maybe brought into contact with and secured within a slot opening 135positioned in an upper periphery 125 of the rear periphery 115 of firstearring member 100. A groove 107 located on the top surface of fastenerportion 105 may facilitate securing fastener portion 105 within slotopening 135 by catching a portion of the perimeter of slot opening 135within groove 107. Although illustrated in FIG. 1 as being positioned ona top surface of fastener portion 105, in other embodiments groove 107may be positioned on a side or bottom surface of fastener portion 105,or may extend partially or entirely around a circumference of fastenerportion 105 at any point proximate the distal end of fastener portion105 to facilitate securing fastener portion 105 within slot opening 135.

In other embodiments, front periphery 110 and rear periphery 115 may befixedly attached. In such embodiments, hinge 120 may be positioned atthe base of fastener portion 105, such that fastener portion 105 mayrotate between an open position in which a distal end of the fastenerportion 105 is elevated above the upper periphery 125 to allow insertionof fastener portion 105 into an earlobe or other body part, and a closedposition in which the distal end of the fastener portion 105 is rotateddownward to be secured in slot opening 135 of first earring member 100to secure first earring member 100 to an earlobe or other body part.

In some embodiments, fastener portion 105 may have a length e of 7.25mm, for example, and may be slightly arcuate. In other embodiments,fastener portion 105 may have various lengths and may have varyingdegrees of curvature or may be straight, as necessary and suitable forinsertion into an earlobe or other body part, and as will be understoodby those skilled in the art.

Front periphery 110 of first earring member 100 may be solid andarcuate, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. In various embodiments,the curvature of front periphery 110 may vary according to aestheticpreference, as the front periphery 110 may be the portion visible whenfirst earring member 100 is worn. For example, in some embodiments frontperiphery 110 may present a flattened front surface when worn, while inother embodiments front periphery 110 may present a convex or curvedsurface. In still other embodiments, front periphery 110 may includeinlays or channels to accommodate one or more precious stones, naturalmaterials, or manufactured materials, such as turquoise, carnelian,cachalong, malachite, onyx, chrysoprase, white jade, lapis, mother ofpearl, amethyst, rhodolite, garnet, aquamarine, tourmaline, diamond,ruby, sapphire, emerald, pearl, spinel, or wood, or metal inlays invarious designs and colors, according to aesthetic preference. The firstearring member 100—as well as each of second earring member 200, thirdearring member 300, and fourth earring member 400, as discussedbelow—may also be formed of any suitable material, such as gold ofvarious carat (K) weights and colors, such as 14K or 18K yellow, rose,or white gold, as an example, or silver, platinum, or other metalmaterials, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Rear periphery 115 of first earring member 100 may include a slotopening 135 positioned at an upper periphery 125 thereof, and a slotchannel 140 extending downwardly from slot opening 135 to a lowerperiphery 130 of earring member 100. In some embodiments, slot channel140, for example, may extend at a length f of 11 mm, while in otherembodiments other lengths, including but not limited to 12.5 mm, may beused as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In someembodiments, slot opening 135 may have a width g of 2 mm, while slotchannel 140 may have a width s of 1.5 mm. In other embodiments, variousother widths may be used as will be understood by those skilled in theart.

Slot opening 135 may be sized and shaped to receive the distal end offastener portion 105, as discussed above. In the illustrated embodiment,slot opening 135 is generally circular, and is sized and shaped toreceive the generally circular distal end of fastener portion 105. Forexample, as front periphery 110 is rotated toward rear periphery 115about hinge 120 and pin 122, the distal end of fastener portion 105 maybe inserted and secured into slot opening 135. This insertion into slotopening 135 may act as a stop, effectively preventing removal of a firstprong member 250 of second earring member 200 from slot opening 135 whenpositioned therein, as discussed in more detail below. It is noted thatthe distal end of fastener portion 105 need not be large enough tooccupy and fill the entirety of slot opening 135, but rather, asillustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, need only be large enoughto act as a stop to prevent removal of first prong member 250 from slotopening 135 when second earring member 200 is connected to first earringmember 100.

Slot opening 135 may additionally be sized and shaped complementarily toa bulbous portion 255 of a first prong member 250 of second earringmember 200. Slot channel 140 may also be sized and shapedcomplementarily to a post portion 260 of the first prong member 250 ofsecond earring member 200. Such complementary sizing and shaping mayallow bulbous portion 255 to be inserted into and through slot opening135, and may allow post portion 260 to engage and slide along slotchannel 140 from the upper periphery 125 of first earring member 100 tothe lower periphery 130 thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 anddiscussed in more detail below.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, bulbous portion 255 may have a generallyspherical shape, but may include one or more flattened face tofacilitate insertion of bulbous portion 255 into slot opening 135. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the flat face of bulbous portion 255 faces arear portion of second earring member 200, while in other embodimentsthe flat face may face a left, right, front, or angled direction withrespect to a front portion of second earring member 200.

Second earring member 200 may be shaped as a square having roundedcorners, having dimensions h of 11.7×11.7 mm in the illustratedembodiment. In other embodiments, second earring member 200 may beformed in various shapes and dimensions according to aestheticpreferences, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.In the illustrated embodiment, second earring member 200 is formedhaving an outer periphery 275 securing two jewelry stones 265 a, 265 btherein. In some embodiments, the outer periphery 275 may be formed of aprecious metal, such as gold, silver, platinum, or the like, while thejewelry stones 265 a, 265 b may be the same or different precious orsemi-precious stones, natural materials, or manufactured materials, suchas turquoise, carnelian, cachalong, malachite, onyx, chrysoprase, whitejade, lapis, mother of pearl, amethyst, rhodolite, garnet, aquamarine,tourmaline, diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, pearl, spinel, or wood, orother precious or semi-precious stones or materials, as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art. The two jewelry stones 265 a,265 b may be cut and positioned to each face outwardly from oppositesides of second earring member 200, such that second earring member isaesthetically reversible or double-sided.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed in more detail below, once secondearring member 200 is securely attached to first earring member 100,second earring member 200 may be positioned to freely or manually rotatein slot channel 140 at the lower periphery 130 of first earring member100, such that each of jewelry stones 265 a, 265 b may be alternatelyfully, or simultaneously partially, viewable when the jewelry system isworn.

A side periphery 245 of second earring member 200 may include a slotopening 235 at an upper periphery 225 thereof, and a slot channel 240extending downwardly from slot opening 235 to a lower periphery 230 ofearring member 200. In some embodiments, slot channel 240 may extend ata length i of 11 mm, while in other embodiments other lengths, includingbut not limited to 12.5 mm, may be used as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. In some embodiments, slot opening 235 may have awidth j of 2 mm, while slot channel 240 may have a width k of 1.5 mm. Inother embodiments, various other widths may be used as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art.

Slot opening 235 may be sized and shaped complementarily to a bulbousportion 355 of a second prong member 350 of a third earring member 300,as illustrated in FIG. 6 and discussed in more detail below. Slotchannel 240 may also be sized and shaped complementarily to a postportion 360 of the second prong member 350 of third earring member 300.Such complementary sizing and shaping may allow bulbous portion 355 tobe inserted into and through slot opening 235, and may allow postportion 360 to engage and slide along slot channel 240 from the upperperiphery 225 of second earring member 200 to the lower periphery 230thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-9 and discussed in more detail below.

In addition to allowing for coupling of a third earring member 300, thepresence of slot opening 235 and slot channel 240 may allow for lightrays 272 to enter into a space between and behind jewelry stones 265 a,265 b, to thereby enhance illumination of jewelry stones 265 a, 265 bfrom behind. Second earring member 200 may also include one or morelight channels 270 a, 270 b, 270 c, 270 d positioned about the outerperiphery 275 thereof to provide additionally enhanced illumination ofjewelry stones 265 a, 265 b from various angles. Although illustrated asrectangular light channels, in various embodiments, light channels 270a-d may be formed in any shape, size, or number, as aestheticallydesired, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of second earring member 200 beingconnected to first hoop-shaped earring member 100 in an open position,according to an embodiment. As discussed above, slot opening 135 in theupper periphery 125 of first earring member 100 may be generallycomplementarily sized and shaped to bulbous portion 255 of first prongmember 250 positioned on the upper periphery 225 of second earringmember 200, allowing for insertion of bulbous portion 255 of first prongmember 250 into and through slot opening 135 of first earring member100.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, first earring member 100 is inan open position, such that fastener portion 105 is not blocking slotopening 135, thereby allowing for insertion of bulbous portion 255 intoand through slot opening 135. Were first earring member 100 in a closedposition, for example as illustrated in FIG. 5, fastener portion 105would at least partially block slot opening 135, thereby preventinginsertion or removal of bulbous portion 255 into or from slot opening135.

As bulbous portion 255 is inserted into slot opening 135, second earringmember 200 may be pushed in and rotated in either direction in order tofacilitate insertion of bulbous portion 255 through slot opening 135, asillustrated between FIGS. 1 and 2. Once bulbous member 255 is positionedwithin and beyond slot opening 135, post portion 260 may engage slotopening 135 and slot channel 140.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of second earring member 200 beingpartially secured to first hoop-shaped earring member 100 in an openposition, according to an embodiment. After insertion of bulbous portion255 of first prong member 250 of second earring member 200 into slotopening 135 on the upper periphery 125 of first earring member 100,bulbous portion 255 may be extended into and through slot opening 135,such that post portion 260 may enter slot opening 135. Post portion 260of first prong member 250 may be sized and shaped to be complementary toslot channel 140 extending along rear periphery 115 of first earringmember 100. This complementary formation allows post portion 260 toengage and slide along slot channel 140 from the upper periphery 125 offirst earring member 100 towards the lower periphery 130 thereof. Aspost portion 260 slides along slot channel 140, bulbous portion 255 mayremain on an interior of the rear periphery 115 of first earring member100, securing second earring member 200 to first earring member 100.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of second earring member 200 being fullysecured to first hoop-shaped earring member 100 in an open position,according to an embodiment. After insertion of bulbous portion 255 ofsecond earring member 200 into and through slot opening 135 of firstearring member 100, post portion 260 can slide along slot channel 140 asillustrated in FIG. 3 and discussed above, from an upper periphery 125to a lower periphery 130 of first earring member 100, along the rearperiphery 115 thereof. Upon reaching the lower periphery 130 of firstearring member 100, first prong member 250 may be stopped by terminationof slot channel 140 proximate to hinge 120. At this terminal position,first prong member 250 may be freely rotatable within slot channel 140as shown by arrow 405, such that each of jewelry stones 265 a, 265 b maybe alternately fully, or simultaneously partially, visible during wear.Such rotation may occur freely during wear, or may be achieved manuallyby turning second earring member 200 as shown by arrow 405.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of first hoop-shaped earring member 100in a closed position, with the first earring member 100 secured to anearlobe 505 at the upper periphery 125 of the first earring member 100and connected to second earring member 200 at the lower periphery 130 ofthe first earring member 100 to form a jewelry system 500.

As previously discussed, the front periphery 110 and rear periphery 115of first earring member 100 may be brought into proximity by rotationabout hinge 120 and pin 122, until the distal end of fastener portion105 is inserted into slot opening 135. Before closing first earringmember 100, fastener portion 105 may be inserted through earlobe 505 oranother suitable body part. When in a closed position as illustrated,fastener portion 105 may have a length l of 7 mm in some embodiments, ormay have various lengths appropriate to accommodate an earlobe 505 orother body part in other embodiments.

Groove 107 located on the top surface of fastener portion 105 mayfacilitate securing fastener portion 105 within slot opening 135 bycatching a portion of the perimeter of slot opening 135 within groove107. Although illustrated in FIG. 1 as being positioned on a top surfaceof fastener portion 105, in other embodiments groove 107 may bepositioned on a side or bottom surface of fastener portion 105, or mayextend partially or entirely around a circumference of fastener portion105 at any point proximate the distal end of fastener portion 105 tofacilitate securing fastener portion 105 within slot opening 135.

When fastener portion 105 is secured to earlobe 505 and inserted intoslot opening 135, fastener portion 105 may serve as a stop to preventsecond earring member 200 from disengaging from first earring member 100when first earring member 100 is in the closed position and worn. Inparticular, fastener portion 105 may at least partially block slotopening 135 such that, even if post portion 260 of second earring member200 were to slide up slot channel 140 towards slot opening 135 duringwear or transport, slot opening 135 is effectively blocked by fastenerportion 105 such that bulbous portion 255 cannot exit slot opening 135.In this way, jewelry system 500 may remain securely coupled during wearor transport.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, when worn, jewelry system 500 may not show thefunctional slot channel 140, 240 and slot opening 135, 235 elements offirst earring member 100 and second earring member 200, such thatjewelry system 500 may appear to be a complete, unified jewelry system.For example, slot opening 135 and slot channel 140 may be positioned ona rear periphery 115 of first earring member 100, such that slot opening135 and slot channel 140 are not visible when first earring member 100is worn, with the front periphery 110 facing forward with respect to thewearer's earlobe 505. Similarly, slot opening 235 and slot channel 240may be positioned on a side periphery 245 of second earring member 200,such that slot opening 235 and slot channel 240 are not visible when thesecond earring member 200 is coupled to first earring member 100 andworn, with the side periphery 245 facing to the side with respect to thewearer's earlobe 505.

This arrangement of the functional elements of the individual earringmembers 100, 200 to be hidden from view during wear advantageouslyprovides a jewelry system 500 that presents the illusion of being asingle, cohesive piece, while still maintaining the flexibility ofinterchangeability. When worn, earring members 100, 200 may appear to beoriginally and permanently connected, such that jewelry system 500 mayappear as a singular piece as designed by a jewelry designer or jeweler.Yet, if the wearer opts to substitute or add earring members 200, 300,400 to first earring member 100, as discussed in more detail below,those jewelry systems 1000, 1100, 1200, for example, will also appear tobe unified pieces. Such configuration may allow the jewelry systems tomaintain an appearance of quality craftsmanship and design.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member 100in an open position and connected to a second earring member 200, and athird earring member 300 disconnected from the first hoop-shaped earringmember 100 and second earring member 200, according to an embodiment. Insome examples, a wearer may wish to add additional earring members tothe first earring member 100 and second earring member 200 jewelrysystem for aesthetic purposes.

Although illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 as adding third earring member 300 tothe first earring member 100 and second earring member 200 jewelrysystem when first earring member 100 is in an open position, in otherembodiments third earring member 300 may be added to jewelry system 500when first earring member 100 is in a closed position, either worn bythe wearer or not.

As illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, third earring member300 may be shaped and sized differently from second earring member 200,according to aesthetic preferences. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, third earring member 200 may have an oval outer periphery375, having a height m of 14.5 mm and a width n of 9.2 mm. In otherembodiments, third earring member 300 may have various shapes and sizesaccording to design inclinations. Like second earring member 200, thirdearring member 300 may include two jewelry stones 365 a, 365 bpositioned within and shaped complementarily to outer periphery 375.Each of jewelry stones 365 a, 365 b may be cut and positioned to faceoutwardly when positioned in outer periphery 375, and may be formed witha gap behind and therebetween to allow light rays 372 to enter through aplurality of light channels 370 a, 370 b, 370 c, 370 d positioned aboutthe outer periphery 375 and thereby enhance illumination of jewelrystones 365 a, 365 b from behind.

Third earring member 300 may include a second prong member 350positioned at an upper periphery 325 thereof to facilitate connection ofthird earring member 300 to second earring member 200. In otherembodiments, second prong member 350 may enable connection between thirdearring member 300 and first earring member 100 directly. Second prongmember 350 may include bulbous portion 355 positioned at a distal end ofpost portion 360, extending upwardly from the upper periphery 325 ofthird earring member 300.

In some embodiments, bulbous portion 355 may have a diameter o of 2.1 mmand post portion 360 may have a height p of 1.6 mm, while in otherembodiments alternate dimensions may be used as will be understood bythose skilled in the art. The relative sizes and materials used to formbulbous portion 355 and post portion 360 may be selected withparticularity in order to ensure that first prong member 250 does notbend or snap off of second earring member 200 during the inserting,pushing, and twisting motions used to connect second earring member 200to first earring member 100 via slot opening 135 and slot channel 140.In some embodiments, bulbous portion 355 and post portion 360 may besized and shaped consistently with bulbous portion 255 and post portion260, respectively, of second earring member, and with respective bulbousportions and post portions of any additional earring members, such thateach of second earring member 200, third earring member 300, and anyadditional earring members may be interchangeably connectable to firstearring member 100 or to each other for formation of various jewelrysystems having various designs, earring member combinations, numbers,lengths, and colors.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, bulbous portion 355 may have a generallyspherical shape, but may include one or more flattened face tofacilitate insertion of bulbous portion 355 into slot opening 235. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the flat face of bulbous portion 355 faces arear portion of third earring member 300, while in other embodiments theflat face may face a left, right, front, or angled direction withrespect to a front portion of third earring member 300.

Bulbous portion 255 and post portion 260 may similarly becomplementarily sized and shaped to slot opening 135 and slot channel140, respectively, of first earring member 100, and to slot opening 235and slot channel 240, respectively, of second earring member 200, and torespective slot openings and slot channels of any additional earringmembers, such that each of second earring member 200, third earringmember 300, and any additional earring members may be interchangeablyconnectable to first earring member 100 or to each other for formationof various jewelry systems having various designs, earring membercombinations, numbers, lengths, and colors.

Slot opening 335 may be positioned at an upper periphery 325 of thirdearring member 300, and may extend along slot channel 340 along a sideperiphery 345 to a lower periphery 330 thereof. This configuration mayallow first earring member 100, second earring member 200, and thirdearring member 300 to be vertically connected for wear.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of first-hoop shaped earring member 100 inan open position and connected to second earring member 200, and thirdearring member 300 being connected to the second earring member 200,according to an embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, secondearring member 200 may be connected to first earring member 100 byinserting first prong member 250 of second earring member 200 into slotopening 135 of first earring member 100, and sliding first prong member250 along slot channel 140 of first earring member 100 to a lowerperiphery 130 thereof. Such connection may be facilitated by firstearring member 100 being in an open position, such that fastener portion105 is not partially or fully blocking slot opening 135.

After connection of second earring member 200 to first earring member100, third earring member 300 may be connected to second earring member200. In some embodiments, third earring member 300 may first beconnected to second earring member 200 before connecting second earringmember 200 to first earring member 100. In the illustrated embodiment,second prong member 350 of third earring member 300 may be inserted intoslot opening 235 of second earring member 200, such that bulbous portion355 extends into and through slot opening 235 until post portion 360engages slot opening 235 and slot channel 240.

Although third earring member 300 is illustrated as being connected tosecond earring member 200 with jewelry stone 365 a in an upward facingposition in FIG. 7, in other embodiments third earring member 300 may berotated at any position with respect to jewelry stones 365 a, 365 b, solong as second prong member 350 is inserted generally perpendicularlyinto slot opening 235.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of first-hoop shaped earring member 100 inan open position and connected to second earring member 200, and thirdearring member 300 being partially secured to the second earring member,according to an embodiment. After insertion of bulbous portion 355 intoand through slot opening 235, post portion 360 may engage slot opening335 and slot channel 240 such that post portion 360 may slide down slotchannel 240 from an upper periphery 225 of second earring member 200,along a side periphery 245 thereof, in the direction indicated by thearrow toward a lower periphery 230 of second earring member 200.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of first hoop-shaped earring member 100 inan open position and connected to second earring member 200, and thirdearring member 300 being fully secured to the second earring member 200,according to an embodiment. After insertion of bulbous portion 355 ofthird earring member 300 into and through slot opening 235 of secondearring member 200, post portion 360 can slide along slot channel 240 asillustrated in FIG. 8 and discussed above, from an upper periphery 225to a lower periphery 230 of second earring member 200, along the sideperiphery 245 thereof. Upon reaching the lower periphery 230 of secondearring member 200, second prong member 350 may be stopped by thetermination of slot channel 240 at lower periphery 230. At this terminalposition, second prong member 350 may be freely rotatable within slotchannel 240 as shown by arrow 905, such that each of jewelry stones 365a, 365 b may be alternately fully, or simultaneously partially, visibleduring wear. Such rotation may occur freely during wear, or may beachieved manually by turning third earring member 300 as shown by arrow905.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of first hoop-shaped earring member 100in a closed position, with the first earring member 100 secured to anearlobe 505 at the upper periphery 125 of the first earring member 100and connected to second earring member 200 at the lower periphery 130thereof, and third earring member 300 connected to the lower periphery230 of second earring member 200 to form a jewelry system 1000.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, when worn, jewelry system 1000 may not showthe functional slot channel 140, 240, 340 and slot opening 135, 235, 335elements of first earring member 100, second earring member 200, andthird earring member 300, such that jewelry system 1000 may appear to bea complete, unified jewelry system. For example, slot opening 135 andslot channel 140 may be positioned on a rear periphery 115 of firstearring member 100, such that slot opening 135 and slot channel 140 arenot visible when first earring member 100 is worn, with the frontperiphery 110 facing forward with respect to the wearer's earlobe 505.Similarly, slot opening 235 and slot channel 240 may be positioned on aside periphery 245 of second earring member 200, such that slot opening235 and slot channel 240 are not visible when the second earring member200 is coupled to first earring member 100 and worn, with the sideperiphery 245 facing to the side with respect to the wearer's earlobe505. Further, slot opening 335 and slot channel 340 may be positioned ona side periphery 345 of third earring member 300, such that slot opening335 and slot channel 340 are not visible when the third earring member300 is coupled to second earring member 200 and worn, with the sideperiphery 345 facing to the side with respect to the wearer's earlobe505.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member 100secured to an earlobe 505 at an upper periphery 125 of the first earringmember 100 and connected to a fourth earring member 400 at a lowerperiphery 130 thereof to form a jewelry system 1100, according to anembodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, fourth earring member 400 maybe formed as a disk having a substantially circular outer periphery 475with a double-sided jewelry stone 465 positioned therein. In someembodiments, the jewelry stone 465 of fourth earring member 400 may havea diameter q of 45 mm and a thickness r of 1 mm, while in otherembodiments the dimensions and thickness of fourth earring member 400may vary. Additionally, although illustrated in FIG. 11 as a circulardisk, in other embodiments fourth earring member 400 may have an oval,squared, or other geometric shape according to aesthetic preferences.

Like second earring member 200 and third earring member 300, fourthearring member may include a third prong member 450 extending from anupper periphery 425 thereof. Third prong member 450 may include abulbous portion 455 for insertion into and through slot opening 135, anda post portion 460 for engaging slot opening 135 and slot channel 140.Unlike second earring member 200 and third earring member 300, however,fourth earring member 400 may not include a slot opening 235, 335 orslot channel 240, 340, such that fourth earring member 400 may terminatethe jewelry system 1100, rather than allowing for connection ofadditional earring members to fourth earring member 400. In otherembodiments, fourth earring member 400 may include a slot opening andslot channel, enabling connection of additional earring members tofourth earring member 400.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, bulbous portion 455 may have a generallyspherical shape, but may include one or more flattened face tofacilitate insertion of bulbous portion 455 into slot opening 135. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the flat face of bulbous portion 455 faces arear portion of fourth earring member 400, while in other embodimentsthe flat face may face a left, right, front, or angled direction withrespect to a front portion of fourth earring member 400.

In the illustrated embodiment, fourth earring member 400 may beconnected to first earring member 100 by inserting third prong member450 of fourth earring member 400 into slot opening 135 of first earringmember 100, sliding third prong member 450 along slot channel 140, andsecuring third prong member 450 at a lower periphery 130 of firstearring member 100. Once secured, third prong member 450 may be freelyrotatable within slot channel 140 at lower periphery 130 of firstearring member 100.

First earring member 100 may be secured to earlobe 505 or another bodypart by inserting fastener portion 105 through earlobe 505 and securingthe distal end of fastener portion 105 within slot opening 135.Insertion of fastener portion 105 within slot opening 135 may serve as astop to effectively prevent third prong member 450 from being removedfrom slot opening 135 when jewelry system 1100 is worn.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member 100secured to an earlobe 505 at an upper periphery 125 of the first earringmember 100 and connected to a second earring member 200 at a lowerperiphery 130 thereof, and a fourth earring member 400 connected to alower periphery 230 of the second earring member 200 to form a jewelrysystem 1200, according to an embodiment. Similarly to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 11, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12 fourthearring member 400 may be formed having a substantially disk-shapedouter periphery 475 having a double-sided jewelry stone 465 positionedtherein. Fourth earring member 400 may be connected to second earringmember 200 via third prong member 450, and second earring member 200 maybe connected to first earring member 100 via first prong member 250, toform jewelry system 1200.

In other embodiments, fourth earring member 400 may be connected to athird earring member 300, which may be connected to a second earringmember 200, which may in turn be connected to a first earring member100. In other embodiments, fourth earring member 400 may be connected toa third earring member 300, which may in turn be connected to a firstearring member 100. In various embodiments, various numbers, orders,patterns, styles, shapes, sizes, and colors of earring members may bearranged to form a variety of jewelry systems for wear on an earlobe orother body part.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a jewelry kit 1300, according to anembodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, two of each of first earringmember 100, second earring member 200, third earring member 300, andfourth earring member 400 may be positioned within a storage device 1305for storage, presentation, transportation, and sale as a jewelry kit1300. Storage device 1305 may include designated storage compartmentscomplementary to each of the earring members 100, 200, 300, 400, as wellas to store additional or various combinations of earring members. Inthe illustrated embodiment, storage device 1305 may be a leather box,for example, with a hinged lid and suede forms therein to receive one ormore earring members. In other embodiments, storage device 1300 may be apouch, case, bag, or any suitable storage container constructed ofvarious suitable materials as will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art. Such storage may allow for ease of use, assembly, andwear of the jewelry systems by wearers.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member 100in an open position, according to an embodiment. As discussed above withrespect to FIG. 1, first earring member 100 may include a fastenerportion 105 for insertion into an earlobe or other body part, to allow aconsumer to wear first earring member 100 alone or as an assembledjewelry system having various configurations as discussed above. In theillustrated embodiment, first earring member 100 may include a frontperiphery 110 and a rear periphery 115 coupled by a hinge member 120secured by pin 122. Although illustrated as a hinge 120 and pin 122, inother embodiments other rotatable couplings between front periphery 110and rear periphery 115 may be used as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. Hinge member 120 may allow first earring member 100to move between an open position as illustrated in FIG. 14 and a closedposition as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 21.

In the open position as illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 14,the front periphery 110 of first earring member 100 may be separatedfrom rear periphery 115 by the rotation of hinge 120 about pin 122 atleast as far as needed to insert an earlobe between a distal end offastener portion 105 and rear periphery 115. In some embodiments, thefront periphery 110 of first earring member 100 have a length a of 12 mmand a width c of 4 mm, while in other embodiments various otherdimensions may be used as will be understood by those skilled in theart.

In a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 5 and as discussed in moredetail above, and as further illustrated in FIG. 21, the front periphery110 of first earring member 100 may be rotated toward rear periphery 115by the rotation of hinge 120 about pin 122. As the rotation occurs,fastener portion 105 may be brought into contact with and secured withina slot opening 135 positioned in an upper periphery 125 of the rearperiphery 115 of first earring member 100.

Groove 107 located on the top surface of fastener portion 105 mayfacilitate securing fastener portion 105 within slot opening 135 bycatching a portion of the perimeter of slot opening 135 within groove107. Although illustrated in FIG. 1 as being positioned on a top surfaceof fastener portion 105, in other embodiments groove 107 may bepositioned on a side or bottom surface of fastener portion 105, or mayextend partially or entirely around a circumference of fastener portion105 at any point proximate the distal end of fastener portion 105 tofacilitate securing fastener portion 105 within slot opening 135.

In other embodiments, front periphery 110 and rear periphery 115 may befixedly attached. In such embodiments, hinge 120 may be positioned atthe base of fastener portion 105, such that fastener portion 105 mayrotate between an open position in which a distal end of the fastenerportion 105 is elevated above the upper periphery 125 to allow insertionof fastener portion 105 into an earlobe or other body part, and a closedposition in which the distal end of the fastener portion 105 is securedin slot opening 135 of first earring member 100 to secure first earringmember 100 to an earlobe or other body part.

In some embodiments, fastener portion 105 may have a length e of 7.25 mmand may be slightly arcuate. In other embodiments, fastener portion 105may have various lengths and may have varying degrees of curvature ormay be straight, as suitable for insertion into an earlobe or other bodypart.

Front periphery 110 of first earring member 100 may be solid andarcuate, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. In various embodiments,the curvature of front periphery 110 may vary according to aestheticpreference, as the front periphery 110 may be the portion visible whenfirst earring member 100 is worn. For example, in some embodiments frontperiphery 110 may present a flattened front surface when worn, while inother embodiments front periphery 110 may present a convex or curvedsurface. In still other embodiments, front periphery 110 may includeinlays or channels to accommodate one or more precious stones or metalinlays in various designs and colors, according to aesthetic preference.The first earring member 100 may also be formed of any suitablematerial, such as gold of various carat (K) weights and colors, such as14K or 18K yellow, rose, or white gold, as an example, or silver,platinum, or other metal materials, as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art.

Rear periphery 115 of first earring member 100 may include a slotopening 135 at an upper periphery 125 thereof, and a slot channel 140extending downwardly from slot opening 135 to a lower periphery 130 ofearring member 100. In some embodiments, slot channel 140 may extend ata length f of 11 mm, while in other embodiments other lengths, includingbut not limited to 12.5 mm, may be used as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. In some embodiments, slot opening 135 may have awidth g of 2 mm, while slot channel 140 may have a width s of 1.5 mm. Inother embodiments, various other widths and width ratios may be used aswill be understood by those skilled in the art.

Slot opening 135 may be sized and shaped to receive the distal end offastener portion 105, as discussed above. For example, as frontperiphery 110 is rotated toward rear periphery 115 about hinge 120 andpin 122, the distal end of fastener portion 105 may be inserted andsecured into slot opening 135. This insertion into slot opening 135 mayact as a stop, effectively preventing removal of a prong member of asecond, third, fourth, or other earring member from slot opening 135.

Slot opening 135 may additionally be sized and shaped complementarily toa bulbous portion 255, 355, 455 of a prong member 250, 350, 450 of anadditional earring member 200, 300, 400 or another earring member. Slotchannel 140 may also be sized and shaped complementarily to a postportion 260, 360, 460 of the prong member 250, 350, 450 of anotherearring member 200, 300, 400 or some other earring member. Suchcomplementary sizing and shaping may allow bulbous portion 255, 355, 455to be inserted into slot opening 135, and may allow post portion 260,360, 460 to slide along slot channel 140 from the upper periphery 125 offirst earring member 100 to the lower periphery 130 thereof, asillustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and discussed in more detail above.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, bulbous portion 455 may have a generallyspherical shape, but may include one or more flattened face tofacilitate insertion of bulbous portion 455 into slot opening 235. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the flat face of bulbous portion 455 faces arear portion of fourth earring member 400, while in other embodimentsthe flat face may face a left, right, front, or angled direction withrespect to a front portion of fourth earring member 400.

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember 100 in an open position, according to an embodiment. Asillustrated, front periphery 110 of first earring member 100 may besolid and arcuate. In various embodiments, the curvature of frontperiphery 110 may vary according to aesthetic preference, as the frontperiphery 110 may be the portion visible when first earring member 100is worn. For example, in some embodiments front periphery 110 maypresent a flattened front surface when worn, while in other embodimentsfront periphery 110 may present a convex or curved surface. In stillother embodiments, front periphery 110 may include inlays or channels toaccommodate one or more precious stones or metal inlays in variousdesigns and colors, according to aesthetic preference. The first earringmember 100 may also be formed of any suitable material, such as gold ofvarious carat (K) weights and colors, such as 14K or 18K yellow, rose,or white gold, as an example, or silver, platinum, or other metalmaterials, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

FIG. 16 is a rear elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earring member100 in an open position, according to an embodiment. As illustrated,fastener portion 105 may extend in an arcuate shape from an upperperiphery 125 of the front periphery 110 of first earring member 100.Fastener portion 105 may be inserted into an earlobe or other body partbefore securing a distal end of fastener portion 105 in slot opening 135by rotating front periphery 110 toward rear periphery 115 about hinge120 and pin 122. Once fastener portion 105 is inserted into slot opening135, slot opening 135 may be effectively blocked by fastener portion 105such that any additional earring members connected to first earringmember 110 cannot be removed or added through slot opening 135.

FIG. 17 is a left-side elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember 100 in an open position, according to an embodiment. Asillustrated, front periphery 110 is rotatably connected to rearperiphery 115 at hinge 120 and pin 122. Rotation about hinge 120 and pin122 may bring front periphery 110 in closer proximity to rear periphery115 such that a distal end of fastener portion 105 may be secured toslot opening 135. FIG. 18 is a right-side elevational view of a firsthoop-shaped earring member 100 in an open position, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 19 is a top elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earring member100 in an open position, according to an embodiment. As illustrated,front periphery 110 is rotatably connected to rear periphery 115 athinge 120 and pin 122. Rotation about hinge 120 and pin 122 may bringfront periphery 110 in closer proximity to rear periphery 115 such thata distal end of fastener portion 105 may be secured to slot opening 135.FIG. 20 is a bottom elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember 100 in an open position, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a first hoop-shaped earring member 100in a closed position, according to an embodiment. As illustrated,fastener portion 105 may extend in an arcuate shape from an upperperiphery 125 of the front periphery 110 of first earring member 100. Adistal end of fastener portion 105 may be inserted into an earlobe orother body part before securing the distal end of fastener portion 105in slot opening 135 by rotating front periphery 110 toward rearperiphery 115 about hinge 120 and pin 122. Once the distal end offastener portion 105 is inserted into slot opening 135, slot opening 135may be effectively blocked by fastener portion 105 such that anyadditional earring members connected to first earring member 110 cannotbe removed through slot opening 135. As illustrated in FIG. 21, thedistal end of fastener portion 105 need not occupy the entirety of slotopening 135 to serve as an effective stop. Rather, the positioning ofthe distal end of fastener portion 105 in slot opening 135 effectivelyprevents removal of a bulbous portion of an additional earring memberprong member by making the slot opening 135 fractionally smaller thanthe diameter of the bulbous portion.

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember 100 in a closed position, according to an embodiment. Frontperiphery 110 of first earring member 100 may be solid and arcuate, asshown in the illustrated embodiment. In various embodiments, thecurvature of front periphery 110 may vary according to aestheticpreference, as the front periphery 110 may be the portion visible whenthe jewelry system is worn. For example, in some embodiments frontperiphery 110 may present a flattened front surface when worn, while inother embodiments front periphery 110 may present a convex or curvedsurface. In still other embodiments, front periphery 110 may includeinlays or channels to accommodate one or more precious stones or metalinlays in various designs and colors, according to aesthetic preference.The first earring member 100 may also be formed of any suitablematerial, such as gold of various carat weights and colors, such as 14Kor 18K yellow, rose, or white gold, as an example, or silver, platinum,or other metal materials, as will be understood by those skilled in theart.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, when worn, first earring member 100 may notshow the functional slot channel 140 and slot opening 135 elements, suchthat first earring member 100 may appear to be a standard earring hoop.For example, slot opening 135 and slot channel 140 may be positioned ona rear periphery 115 of first earring member 100, such that slot opening135 and slot channel 140 are not visible when first earring member 100is worn, with the front periphery 110 facing forward with respect to thewearer's earlobe.

FIG. 23 is a rear elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earring member100 in a closed position, according to an embodiment. As illustrated,fastener portion 105 may extend in an arcuate shape from an upperperiphery 125 of the front periphery 110 of first earring member 100. Adistal end of fastener portion 105 may be inserted into an earlobe orother body part before securing fastener portion 105 in slot opening 135by rotating front periphery 110 toward rear periphery 115 about hinge120 and pin 122. Once fastener portion 105 is inserted into slot opening135, slot opening 135 may be effectively blocked by fastener portion 105such that any additional earring members connected to first earringmember 110 cannot be removed through or inserted into slot opening 135.

FIG. 24 is a left-side elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember 100 in a closed position, according to an embodiment. Asillustrated, front periphery 110 is rotatably connected to rearperiphery 115 at hinge 120 and pin 122. Rotation about hinge 120 and pin122 may bring front periphery 110 in closer proximity to rear periphery115 such that fastener portion 105 may be secured to slot opening 135.FIG. 25 is a right-side elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earringmember 100 in a closed position, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a top elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earring memberin a closed position, according to an embodiment. As illustrated, frontperiphery 110 is rotatably connected to rear periphery 115 at hinge 120and pin 122. Rotation about hinge 120 and pin 122 may bring frontperiphery 110 in closer proximity to rear periphery 115 such thatfastener portion 105 may be secured to slot opening 135. FIG. 27 is abottom elevational view of a first hoop-shaped earring member in aclosed position, according to an embodiment.

Although described throughout with respect to earring members, in otherembodiments the described jewelry systems, jewelry kits, jewelry, andassociated methods may include bracelet, necklace, keychain, belt, andvarious other accessory members for wear or use, as would be understoodby one having ordinary skill in the art.

The present disclosure described herein, therefore, is well adapted tocarry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, aswell as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodimentof the disclosure has been given for purposes of disclosure, numerouschanges exist in the details of procedures for accomplishing the desiredresults. These and other similar modifications will readily suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art, and are intended to beencompassed within the spirit of the present disclosure disclosed hereinand the scope of the appended claims.

The present application claims priority and benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/564,944, filed Sep. 28,2017, entitled “JEWELRY SYSTEM, JEWELRY KIT, JEWELRY, AND ASSOCIATEDMETHODS,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Although the disclosure has been described above in connection withvarious exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that it is notintended to limit the disclosure to that embodiment. On the contrary, itis intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents,as may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure asdefined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An earring comprising: a hoop-shaped earringmember positionable to insert into and secure to an earlobe, thehoop-shaped earring member having a slot positioned in a portion of arear periphery thereof and extending to a lower periphery thereof, theslot being arranged to allow one or more additional earring members tobe secured in the slot when positioned therein, each of the one or moreadditional earring members having a respective prong member extendingoutwardly from an upper periphery thereof, positionable into and to beslidable along the slot, and securable in the lower periphery of thehoop-shaped earring member.
 2. The earring as defined in claim 1, thehoop-shaped earring member further including a fastener portion hingedlymovable between an open position and a closed position to secure theearring member to the earlobe, to connect closely adjacent the slot, andto operate as a stop to prevent the respective prong member of the oneor more additional earring members from disengaging from the slot of thehoop-shaped earring member when the fastener portion is in the closedposition.
 3. An earring comprising: an earring member having a prongmember extending outwardly from an upper periphery thereof, positionableinto and to be slidable along a slot positioned in a rear periphery of ahoop-shaped earring member and extending to a lower periphery thereof,and securable in the lower periphery of the hoop-shaped earring member,the hoop-shaped earring member being positionable to insert into andsecure to an earlobe.
 4. The earring of claim 3, the earring memberfurther having a slot positioned in a portion of a side peripherythereof and extending to a lower periphery thereof to thereby allow oneor more additional earring members each having a respective prong memberto be secured in the slot when positioned therein.
 5. The earring asdefined in claim 3, wherein the earring member has one or more jewelrystones positioned therein.
 6. The earring as defined in claim 5, whereinthe one or more jewelry stones of the earring member comprises a firstjewelry stone positioned to face a front portion of the earring memberand a second jewelry stone positioned to face a rear portion of theearring member, and wherein the slot enhances light entry between thefirst jewelry stone and the second jewelry stone to thereby enhanceillumination of the respective first jewelry stone and second jewelrystone.
 7. The earring as defined in claim 3, wherein the prong memberincludes a post portion connected to and extending outwardly from theupper periphery of the earring member and a bulbous portion having alarger circumferential periphery than a circumferential periphery of thepost portion, connected to a distal end of the post portion, and forminga distal end portion of the prong member.
 8. The earring as defined inclaim 7, wherein the slot opening of the hoop-shaped earring member isformed to receive the bulbous portion of the prong member of the earringmember when positioned therein, so that the bulbous portion extendsthrough the slot opening to thereby allow the post portion to slidablyengage the slot and to further thereby allow the post portion to slidealong the slot to the lower periphery of the hoop-shaped earring memberand be retained therein by the larger bulbous portion, being operable asa stop to prevent the earring member from disconnecting from the slot.9. A jewelry system comprising: a first hoop-shaped earring memberpositionable to insert into and secure to an earlobe, the first earringmember having a first slot positioned in a portion of a rear peripherythereof and extending to a lower periphery thereof; a second earringmember having a first prong member extending outwardly from an upperperiphery thereof, positionable into and to be slidable along the firstslot of the first earring member, and securable in the lower peripheryof the first earring member, the second earring member having a secondslot positioned in a portion of a side periphery thereof and extendingto a lower periphery thereof; and a third earring member having a secondprong member extending outwardly from an upper periphery thereof,positionable into and to be slidable along the second slot of the secondearring member, and securable in the lower periphery of the secondearring member.
 10. The jewelry system as defined in claim 9, whereinthe first earring member further includes a fastener portion hingedlymovable between an open position and a closed position to secure thefirst earring member to the earlobe, to connect closely adjacent thefirst slot, and to operate as a stop to prevent the first prong memberof the second earring member from disengaging from the first earringmember when the fastener portion is in the closed position.
 11. Thejewelry system as defined in claim 9, wherein the third earring memberhas a third slot positioned in a portion of a side periphery thereof andextending to a lower periphery thereof to thereby allow one or moreadditional earring members each having a respective prong memberextending outwardly therefrom to be secured in the third slot whenpositioned therein.
 12. The jewelry system as defined in claim 11, whereeach of the second earring member and third earring member has one ormore jewelry stones positioned therein.
 13. The jewelry system asdefined in claim 12, wherein the one or more jewelry stones of each ofthe second earring member and third earring member comprises a firstjewelry stone positioned to face a front portion of the respectiveearring member and a second jewelry stone positioned to face a rearportion of the respective earring member, and wherein the respectivesecond slot and third slot enhances light entry between the firstjewelry stone and the second jewelry stone to thereby enhanceillumination of the respective first jewelry stone and second jewelrystone.
 14. The jewelry system as defined in claim 9, wherein acircumferential periphery of the second earring member has a differentoverall shape from a circumferential periphery of the third earringmember.
 15. The jewelry system as defined in claim 9, wherein each ofthe first prong member and the second prong member includes a postportion connected to and extending outwardly from the upper periphery ofthe respective earring member and a bulbous portion having a largercircumferential periphery than a circumferential periphery of the postportion, connected to a distal end of the post portion, and forming adistal end portion of the respective prong member.
 16. The jewelrysystem as defined in claim 15, wherein the first slot of the firstearring member includes a slot opening and a narrower slot channelconnected to and extending downwardly from the slot opening along therear periphery to the lower periphery of the first earring member, andthe second slot of the second earring member includes a slot opening anda narrower slot channel connected to and extending downwardly from theslot opening along the side periphery to the lower periphery of thesecond earring member, the slot openings being formed to receive thebulbous portion of the prong member of the respective earring memberwhen positioned therein, so that the bulbous portion extends through therespective slot openings to thereby allow the post portion to slidablyengage the narrower channel portion and to further thereby allow thepost portion to slide along the channel portion to the lower peripheryof the respective earring member and be retained therein by the largerbulbous portion, being operable as a stop to prevent the respectiveearring member from disconnecting from the respective slot.
 17. A methodof assembling a jewelry system comprising a first earring member and asecond earring member, the method comprising: inserting a first prongmember extending outwardly from an upper periphery of the second earringmember into a first slot positioned in a portion of a rear periphery ofand extending to a lower periphery of the first earring member, thefirst earring member being positionable to insert into and secure to anearlobe; and sliding the first prong member downwardly along the firstslot to the lower periphery of the first earring member and securing thefirst prong member at the lower periphery of the first earring member.18. The method as defined in claim 17, the method further comprising:hingedly moving a fastener portion of the first earring member from anopen position to a closed position to secure the first earring member tothe earlobe, to connect closely adjacent the first slot, and to operateas a stop to prevent the first prong member of the second earring memberfrom disengaging from the first earring member when the fastener portionis in the closed position.
 19. The method as defined in claim 17, themethod further comprising: inserting a second prong member extendingoutwardly from an upper periphery of a third earring member into asecond slot positioned in a portion of a side periphery of and extendingto a lower periphery of the second earring member; and sliding thesecond prong member downwardly along the second slot to the lowerperiphery of the second earring member and securing the second prongmember at the lower periphery of the second earring member.
 20. Themethod as defined in claim 19, wherein inserting each of the first prongmember and the second prong member into the respective first slot andsecond slot comprises: inserting a bulbous portion of each of the firstprong member and the second prong member into a slot opening of therespective first slot and second slot, wherein each of the first prongmember and the second prong member includes a post portion connected toand extending outwardly from the upper periphery of the respectiveearring member and a bulbous portion having a larger circumferentialperiphery than a circumferential periphery of the post portion,connected to a distal end of the post portion, and forming a distal endportion of the respective prong member.